Crossroads Adult Transition Center

The Crossroads Adult Transition Center is a minimum-security facility for male inmates who are preparing for their release from the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Crossroads is located on the west side of Chicago, and is operated by the non-profit Safer Foundation under contract with the Illinois DOC.

This facility opened in 1983 and has the operational capacity to house 374 inmates. The "operational capacity" is defined as the maximum number of beds that the facility has, including health care, crisis, segregation, protective custody, isolation, R&C's and those in need of repair. 

Crossroads is one of four remaining Adult Transition Centers in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and is the largest in the state. This facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association and adheres to the PREA Act of 2003.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The Illinois Department of Corrections is in phase two of their plan to resume in-person visits as safely as possible. The number of visitors per two-hour time slot is limited to ensure social distancing measures are closely followed. 

Phase two loosens restrictions for visitors and incarcerated people who are fully vaccinated. As of August 2021,  each incarcerated person is permitted three visits per month. To visit Crossroads Adult Transition Center, you must sign up at least seven days in advance.

Visiting hours at Crossroads during phase two vary. Please refer to the sign up schedule to see available visiting times. The available times and rules do vary based on vaccination status. There are no age restrictions for visitors; however, all children over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask. 

All visitors must be at the facility at least 10 minutes prior to their scheduled visit time. Visitors who arrive late and miss their scheduled visit will not be penalized and will be allowed to reschedule without the visit being counted against them. 

While on grounds, the visitor must call the facility for guidance on entering the facility. This call should be completed from the parking lot and not while they are still driving to the facility. This will ensure the appropriate amount of time is allotted for processing. 

If a visitor does not have a cell phone, they must report to the main entrance of the facility and advise the front entrance staff that they have arrived. 

Check to see if the facility is on lockdown before leaving. You can call (877) 840-3220 for a listing of facilities currently on lockdown. 

Visitor Approval

All visitors, excluding children, government officials and legal visitors, must be on the incarcerated person’s approved visitation list in order to be granted a visit.

Incarcerated men and women are responsible for arranging their visits and notifying their visitors of their visiting status. To check if you are on the incarcerated individual’s visitor list, you should write a letter to them to inquire. 

IDOC staff cannot tell you whether you are on a person’s visitation list if you call the facility.

General Visiting Rules

Visitation is encouraged to help incarcerated men and women maintain ties with family, friends, and others in the community. 

All adult visitors are required to produce current photo identification, such as a driver’s license, a state identification card or acceptable documentation of non-US citizenship including a current passport, Visa or Matricula, and documentation that includes their date of birth. 

Allowed Items

Visitors are not allowed to bring electronic devices (such as cell phones or pagers), food, drink, smoking materials, currency, packages, purses, bags, sacks, books, magazines, sunglasses, or personal keys into the Visiting Room. 

Visitors may place personal items in small lockers that will be available at no charge. The locker key may be carried into the facility after the visitor secures personal responsibility for these items. 

Items that a visitor may possess inside the visiting room or in a secured locker, unless otherwise approved by the CAO, shall include: 

• Any item approved for an ADA request for reasonable accommodation. 
• One identification card
•  One key fob or car door key without remote attachment
• One locker key, if issued
• One jacket or coat appropriate for the weather
• Religious headgear, and
• Lifesaving medication

If visiting with an infant or toddler, the following items may be brought into the visiting room in a clear plastic bag or container:

• Three diapers and wipes
• One blanket
• Two filled clear plastic bottles; two sealed containers of baby food; a combination of one bottle and one sealed container of baby food
• One change of clothes
• One bib
• One pacifier
• One plastic spoon
• One clear empty cup with lid
• One coat or jacket and one hat
• One pair of gloves or mittens during appropriate weather

Dress Code

All adult visitors must be dressed appropriately for a prison environment or the visit will not be permitted. Clothing must not advertise or suggest any items in such a manner to signify a Security Threat Group or other illegal activity. 

Visitors should not wear clothing that is sexually explicit, offensive, or degrading. All visitors must wear underwear and female visitors must wear a bra. 

Visitors should not wear clothing which reveals the buttocks or breasts. Examples of appropriate and inappropriate dress for visitors are: 

• Dresses, shorts, or skirts must extend to the knee
• Clothing that compromises the integrity of safety/security such as gang affiliated symbols and communication that may negatively impact ability to control the population
• No see through/sheer clothing
• No holes, tears, or “cutouts” in clothing above the knee
• No tube tops, halter tops, tank tops, swimsuits, or swimsuit tops
• Loose fitting clothing is encouraged but not required

Visitors may be permitted to wear religious headgear if there is no safety or security concerns, the headgear has been removed and thoroughly searched, the visitor has indicated that the headgear has religious significance, and the headgear is a kufi, yarmulke, turban, habit, or fez. 

Wigs do not constitute headgear and will not result in the denial of visits. Visitors may possess two rings (inclusive of one wedding ring), one pair of earrings, and piercings that cannot be removed.

How to Call an Inmate

You can't call a resident at the Crossroads Adult Transition Center, but they do have access to phones during certain hours and are allowed to make outgoing calls.

How to Send Money

You can send money to a resident at Crossroads Adult Transition Center via the following methods. (You must use the inmate's IDOC number and legal name for all electronic transfer of funds.)

• GTL (ConnectNetwork) at https://web.connectnetwork.com/facilities/illinois-department-of-corrections/
• JPAY at www.jpay.com
• MoneyGram locations using the Blue MoneyGram Express Payment Form -  receiving code is 7364
• Western Union at www.westernunion.com or at locations using the Quick Collect Form – code city and state are ILDOC,  IL

Money Orders

Inmates may receive money orders, but they must be sent with a lockbox deposit slip and must be complete with the inmate name, IDOC inmate number, sender’s name, and address. 

Deposit slips can be obtained at Crossroads or from the following link: https://www.jpay.com/moneyorder.aspx. The money orders should be made payable to JPay and sent with the deposit slip to: 

PO Box 260250
Hollywood, FL 33026. 

Programs For Inmates

Academic:

• GED (General Educational Development)
• Higher Educational Programs (off-site)

Vocational (off-site):

• Culinary Arts
• Building Maintenance

Volunteer Services:

• Literacy Services
• Religious Services
• Community Services

Other:

• Case Management Services
• Cognitive Therapies
• Mental Health Services
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Family Support Services
• Job Readiness Skills
• Employment Retention Training
• Community Work Crews
• Anger Management
• Library
• Leisure Time Activity
• Life Skills
• Resource Room
• Employment Services
• Community Services
• Holiday Events
• Honor Program
• Internship

Pictures of Crossroads Adult Transition Center

Careers at Crossroads Adult Transition Center

If you are interested in a career with the Illinois Department of Corrections and would like more information about the job openings at the Crossroads Adult Transition Center, click here.